Day in the life is a memory keeping project that gives you a beautiful little snapshot of routines, spaces, habits and people. Things that seem like they never change but actually change really fast. So many years have passed since I started doing this project, that our family now has a new member who wasn't there when I started it.
I almost always rely on Ali Edwards for motivation to do this project. I played along on the day she choose, June 20.
I was hesitant about getting started for some reason but Lakshman woke me up with so much joy that I knew I had to do it.
There is so much that I want to remember.
I
want to remember
Lakshman waking me up in the morning. Happy to see me and wanting to snuggle. Asking me to do it again over and over when I nuzzle his arm instead of squirming away like he usually does. He wants Nandini to join and tries to wake her up to no avail. She comes down eventually and then I get double the snuggles. Nandini is very into getting snuggle time with me everyday lately. It's the best.
The kids want to see SnapChat in the morning. It's been a while so I go along with it.
I want to remember the loving bond between big sister and little brother. A role she was always excited about and has taken it seriously all along.
I drive the kids to school camp because Ryan has an early meeting. He helps me get them ready before going though. We still don't leave until it is close to 9 already. Lakshman's class is outside doing yoga poses. Natalie tries to engage him in the activity with middling success. Nandini's classmates are mostly painting. Such a cute group of girls. A happily greets her and tells the girls that she likes Nandini. Nandini didn't pay much attention though and picked out a solar system game to play.
Avi and I go to Texas French bread for breakfast. The clerk knows my usual order. Latte, croissant, cut in half toasted, and scrambled eggs with cheese. Though I opt for a drip coffee instead. I work on my planner over coffee. Lots of little outings and playdates and appointments.
I want to remember getting to sit down and talk with Avinash. We talk about Calvin and Hobbes and his monkey EO, who has been his lovey since he was a baby. I have been seeing it less and less recently but reading about Hobbes has sparked a new interest. Today at breakfast, Avinash tells me lots of things that EO does and says. He asks me to buy bananas, EOs favorite fruit.
Eight years old and so well loved and chewed and dragged on the ground. After reading Calvin & Hobbes, Avinash started carrying EO with him everywhere again. It basically melts my heart to see the kid who wants to be a teenager asking me to buy bananas for his monkey.
Avinash gets excited when he sees the upcoming schedule. A faerie tea party tomorrow and playdates!
We go back home briefly. Avi gets the swim stuff for camp. I pack snacks for our walk to the turtle pond later. I forgot the granola bars. I want to remember what a good helper he is and how this is a value we have worked hard to instill in him.
I want to remember this view, the black eyed Susans that grew from a packet of wildflower seeds have really thrived. They have been blooming for weeks now.
Lakshman planted radishes at camp. He ran into my arms so excitedly at pick up. Nandini was not hesitant to leave like usual either.
I want to remember how he always wanted to make a drawing in Nandini's class before leaving, after he did it one time it became a daily need.
We walk to the turtle pond with Luke and Jackie. It is such a beautiful little walk to a beautiful little pond. Half of it is filled with a full carpet of duck weed.
The rest has so many turtles. Including the triceratops turtle Avi found. A snapping turtle maybe? "You guys are gonna want to see this!"
We eat our snacks under the tree. Strawberries and carrots and pretzels mostly.
Lakshman is not happy when people say they see turtles jumping. Turtles not there. Fish jumping there not fish. Ha. I put honeysuckles in there so turtles can eat. He picks honeysuckles and puts them in the water.
I drop the kids off at camp and they are all so excited to be there. They play and run around with their friends all afternoon. This is Lakshman's first year at Camp Rocky River and it is so cute to think of him with all the big kids!
Lakshman falls asleep on the way home. He wants me to hold him so I cradle him on the couch. It is the sweetest feeling. He has never been gone from me all day so this must be a lot for him. He needs Mommy time I think.
I want to remember my beautiful garden. I spend time out here every day, fighting off the heat and such. We planted vegetable seeds way too late so we only get a small amount of peas, but they have given Lakshman a taste for them and he has a new vegetable he can eat now! That is worth anything to us.
All of the herbs the kids bought and planted the other day are still doing well.
Our baby succulents are growing.
Water fun at camp.
Avinash asks for a water balloon fight. He even promises to get every thing ready. I lay Lakshman down on the bed while he does. Nandini and Avinash still in their swimsuits from camp run around with me outside. I plant a little and they keep spraying me with the hose and balloons. I love them being excited about being outside. It is so hot that it feels great grtting soaked. I tell them it counts as their bath and hose them off.
Ryan makes spinach ricotta cannoli. I help him wrap them up. It turns out so good. I eat way too much.
I want to remember Nandini's passion for music. She asked Ryan to download the Cruella DeVil music and is learning to play it now.
You can see all my past
Day in the Life posts here. I am not sure what I will do with this project, but hopefully a mini book.
